"The job reductions were spread across more than one business
area and country and reflect adaptations to business needs. We go
through this process in the most thoughtful manner possible, with
the deepest respect for affected individuals," said a
company representative.

That's in addition to the job cuts
earlier this year, which were largely in Microsoft's troubled
phone division.

In July 2014, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
announced the company would be "streamlining" operations with the
news that 18,000 jobs would be cut, representing 14% of its total
workforce. It continued to have layoffs periodically through the
rest of that year and into 2015.

While Microsoft's past quarter was solid, it's still being
hard hit by the shrinking PC market, which has long been its
bread and butter. This past quarter, Microsoft changed the way it
reports financial results, but it's been noted that
under its old reporting structure its results would've
been underwhelming.